Process-control apparatus



- 13 02 4 May 31,1927. a a FOOTE 3 9 PROCES S CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1924 If Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TO R.

May 31, B. FOOTE PROUESS CONTROL APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1924 INVENTOR.

Patented May-31,1927. UNITED STATES 1,630,294 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD B. FOOTE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 TAYLOR INSTRUMENT I COMPANIES, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

I PROCESS-CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application filed March 5, 1924. Serial No. 697,168.

This invention relates to automatic control apparatus and more particularly .to apparatus for automatically controlling the operation of processingequipment, as y accomplishing a-series of operating steps in timed sequence in accordance with-a predetermined schedule, one object of the invention being to provide a practical and conveniently adaptable apparatus of the above character for automatically controlling the filling and emptying of a processing container, as well as the operating conditions such as the temperature therein, for carrying out a predetermined process.

Another object is the provision of such apparatus including means for governingthe same -eonjointly by a timing mechanism and by a-' device responsive to the temperature or other container condition-tobe controlled. A further object is to afford apparatus of this character in which also the timing mechanism itself is governed by the operation of the temperature responsive de-- vice. Still a further object is to provide in such an apparatus a simple and practical form of construction operating in a reliable and accurate manner and capable of being conveniently adjusted to adapt the same to variously related operating steps of a process' as well as to different processes.

To these and other ends the invention con-' sists in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification. v

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a general view, partly diagrammatic, showing an application'- of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a control, mechanism shown generally in Fi 1;

Fi gs. 3 to 6 inclusive are views-of difl'erent cams employed'in the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view substantially on theline7in Fig.2; Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of automatic switch means shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 9 is an exterior elevation of a sec ondary valve means shown in Fig.2.

the several views indicate the same parts;

in stem similar to that of the diap disclosed by way of illustration shows an adaptation of the same to the automatic control of a processing container particularly adapted for freezing ice cream, although it will be apparent that the invention is applicable as well to the automatic control of other processes and equipment.

In the present instance the processing container 10-, Fig. 1, is of a known variety employed for freezing ice cream, comprising an inlet pipe .11 controlled by a, three-way valve 12 having connected therewith a pipe 13 leading to a suitable source of supply of the material to be processed or frozen. The other outlet of this valve communicates with a batch measure 14 of known construction for measuring a quantity of material for I each operation of the container. Valve 12 is of theautomatic variety and preferably of the known diaphragm type actuated in opposite directions by'a spring 15 and fluid pressure supplied through a-pipe line 16.- These parts are so constructed and arranged, as will be readily understood by those familiai with this art, that application of air or other fluid pressure through pipe 16 positions'the valve to close pipe 13 andopen communication between batch measure 14 and the container .to fill the same.

' pressure on the other hand, allows the valve to be moved by its spring 15 to position for closing pipe'll and opening communication between the supply line 13 and the measure 14 to fill the latter.

Y Container 10 is' also provided with an emptying or discharge valve in the present instance in the form of a door 17 sliding in vertical guides 18 over anoutlet port at the bottom of the container. The raising and lowering of this door to open and close the outlet is automatically accomplished by a lever 19 pivoted thereto at 20 and itself pivotally supported at 21 on a bracket 22 fixed'to the container and carrying also an actuating device 23 having a vertically slidvalve already described, this stem The'device 23 as indicated is operated to move its stem in opposite directions by a spring 25 and by a diaphragm actuated by 1 pressure supplied through a pipe 26, the ap Similar reference numerals throughout plication of fluid pressureserving to lower valve 17 to closed position. The operating air lines 16a-nd 26 lead to a unitary timing be ng pivotally connected at 24 to the lever v19.

Relief of and control mechanism indicated generally at 27 for controlling the same. as ereafter described;

The present process involves the control of temperature conditions within the container for which purpose the latter is equipped with suitable coil or jacket means, as well understood in the art supplied with a'temline.

perature controlling. medium, such as brine, through a pipe line 28. At 29 is a return pipe for such medium and at 30 is a-by-pass connection between the supply and return The valve 31, preferably of known three-way construction, serves to either close by-pass 30 and supply the controlling medlum to the container'to cool the same or. to

' close communication between the container t-ainer butalso its temperature, to which endand supply line and connect the latter with by-pass .30 to terminate the cooling treatment. Valve '31 is preferably of the automatic spring and diaphragm variety already described and operates upon the application thereto of fluid pressure through the pipe 32 to transmit brine to the container, and on the other hand to by-pass the latter when the operating pressure in line 32 is relieved. Pipe line 32 also connects with and is controlled by the control mechanism 27.

As already stated, the apparatus controls not only the filling and emptying of the conthere is provided a temperature responsive device of a well known variety of construc tion comprising a thermometer bulb 33 located in the container and connected by a tube 34 with a pressure responsive element 35, such as a Bourdon tube, the bulb and tube being, of course, filled with a. fluid adapted to expand with increasing temperature and to thereby exert'an internal pressure in the spiral tube 35 to move the free outer end of the latter, as well understood in the art. Thisend of element 35 carries 'a bridging contact 36 adapted to connect and disconnect switch contacts 37 controlling one side of an electrical supply line 38' connected with the control mechanism 27, for driving the latter as hereafter explained. Switch 37 is ar-- ranged in parallel with an automatic'switch indicated generally at 88 and hereafter described, so that the switches conjointly control the supply of driving power to the control mechanism 27.. It is apparent from the construction so far described that contact 36 is adapted tobe moved by the responsive device 35 at a predetermined temperature into engagement with the contacts 37 to close the switch and to complete the circuit to the controller 27. By adjusting the relative positions of the "device 35 and, contacts 37 or in other known ways, the temperature at which.

the switch is closed maybe closely predetermined and varied. Controlv mechanism 27 preferably comprises the cylindrical casing 40 havingits front closed by a door "41 including) window 42. Supported in any suita le manner on the rear wall of the casing is a (lIlV-n ing motordevice 43 preferably of the-well known variety operated synchronously and uniformly by electrical power and serving- 1nclusive, corresponding to the number of cams. .Slidably carried in any suitable manner at their rear ends in the slots are a series of supports, 56 to 59 inclusive, each of which is in theform substantially of abar extending forwardly parallel with spindle 44 and turned; angularly at its forward end to project adjacent the circumference of a dial 60. This end of each support is provided as at- 6] with a port-ion adapted to be manually grasped a glass for adjusting the support .in its slot-and circumferentially about spindle 44. Each support carries also a pointer 62 cooperating with graduations 63 on the dial in the present instance representing minutes of time; ,Each

support is preferably steadied by an arm 63 fixed thereon and to a collar 64 rotatably carried on spindle 44 and it is apparent that these supports 56, 59 may each be adjusted ,circumferentially within the limits of its slot and about dial 60 to bring its pointer 62 into registry with different gradu'ations thereon. The range of ,movement of any support may obviously have a length limited only by the arrangement and dimensions. of the mechanism. Spindle 44 carries' a pointer 62 cooperating with the dial graduf ations.

Pivotally mounted at one end in any suitable manner on each of the supports 56 to 59 is a follower 63, all of which in the present instance are alike, eachbeing located on vitssupport opposite one of the cams andxprovi ed with a 5 ur 64 engaging the ca m profile. As spin le 44 rotates therefore, each cam effects a pivotal swinging movement of.

its corresponding follower. Each follower engages at-its outer side the'stem 65 of a series of circumferentially arranged sec-f ondary valves 66" to 69 inclusive." These valves all have the same construct-ion clearly shown injFig. 2. Each comprisesa block or casing formed with seat 70. with which 00 operates a valve71 on the stem 65. Aspring 7 2 tends to seat the valve whichis opened by inward movement of the stem 65.

Each" valve block is for'medwith aln inletport 73 and 'an outlet port 74 communicating with its stem in contact with the latter.

the valve chamber on opposite sides of the seat. Each valve block includes also a nipple fitted with a plug 76, Fig. '9, formed with a small vent opening 77 communicating with the valve chamber on the outlet side of the seat for relieving pressure after closing of the valve. I

As shown in Fig. 2, the secondary air valves 66 to 69 inclusive are supported in circumferentially spaced arrangement, each opposite one of the followers 63 and'with The valve springs tend to maintain the stems in contact with the followers and the latter in cooperation with the cams, although of course, additional spring means may be provided for holding the follower against the cam profile. These valves are connected with and control the various fluid pressure lines operating the processing equipment, as

hereafter described.

Valve 69 is supplied with pressure through a pipe 7 8 adapted for connection with a suitable source of compressed air. The outlet of this" valve is connected with a pipe 79 having several branches, one of which 80 is directly connected with the pipe .26 supplying the operatin means of the container outlet valve 17. r nother branch 81 su )plies compressed air to valve 66 the outiet of which is connected by a pipe 82 with'the pipe 16 leading to the'container inlet valve 12. Still another branch 83 supplies'air pressure to valve 68 the outlet of which is connected by a pipe 84 with the pipe 32 leading to the valve 31 controlling the supply of temperature regulating medium to the container. A branch 85 of the air supply pipe 7 8 supplies valve 67 the outlet of which is connected by a pipe .86 with a pipe 87 leading to fluid pressure means for operating switch 39 indicated generally at 88 andhereafter described.

The'automatic switch 88 comprises preferably a plug 89, Fig. 8, having insulated switch contacts 90. The plug is screwedinto a, substantially cylindrical casing 91 in which slides a piston 92carrying a contact part 93 adapted to connect the contacts 90. A spring 94 between the opposite end of the piston and the cylinder wall urges the piston to position for closing the switch, the cyl-' inder however is provided with ports95 and 96 on opposite sides of the piston, the former of which has the air supply pipe 87 connected thereto.- P0rt96 provides. a relief vent as shown for the other end of the cylinder;

\Vhen pressure is applied to pipe 87 the cylinder is moved to openthe'switch against the pressure of spring 94. When the air pressure is relieved in line 87, the spring closes the. switch.

In operation. the spindle 44 of the control mechanism initially occupies a position in which its-pointer 62 is at zero and it has compressed air is transmitted by -valvcs'66,

68 and to the container inlet valve 12, the brine control valve 31 and the container outlet Valve 17. These inainvalves are thereby actuated 'to close the container outlet, connect the container inlet with batch measure -14' to fill the container, and to supply brine to cool the container, thus starting the process. As'spindle 44 continues to revolve the low portion of cam 46 engages its follower 63*, permitting valve 66 t9 close and relieve pressure in pipe 16. with the result that valve 12 closes communication between the container and the batch measure and, c'onnccts the latter with pipe 13 to fill it preparatory to the next processing cycle.

Continued rotation of spindle 44 brings a high portion of cam 49 against its follower 63* which later is moved against the spindle 0t va-lve67 to unseat the same and transmit pressure to pipe 87 to open switch .88. This breaks the connection betwecn'theelectrical supply line 38 and the timing and driving means 43 which latter thereupon temporarily comes to rest. During the foregoing portion of the process the supply of brine to the container continuously cools the latter and this supply of brine continues after the stopping of the timing mechanism as above described and until a predetermined temperature is reached at which point the responsive device 35 operates automatically to close switch 37 and thereby again connect the power line 38 with the timing means 43 to again start the rotation of spindle 44. 'Ihereupon cam 49 allows valve 67 to close -andjlose switch 88, and cam 48 allows valve 68 to close to actuate-the main valve 31 to by-pass the brine. Spindle 44 continues to rotate .for a period of time depending upon the adjusted spacing of the cam followers, during which time the temperature of the container, owing to the insulated construction of the same commonly employed, remains substantially constant for the desired period. Eventually a low portion of cam 47 permits its follower to drop, releasing the spindle. of valve 69 which I closes, relieving pressure in pipe QGaud effectmg the opening of the container discharge valve 1 17 The .the cycle as previously described above. The

operation of the processing equipment is thus accomplished in a fully automatic man-' ner accurately and adjustably controlled by adjustment of the cam followers as indicated by their pointers 62 on dial 60. It is obvious that a greater or less number of control devices, such as the respective cams and secondary valves may be employed and connected in various ways with automatic main valves either opcned or closed by the applicationof fluid pressure, and that the invention is thusapplicable to various processes and processing equipments.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a container for material to be processed, means for discharging said material therefrom, conducting means for supplying a medium to said container for controlling the temperature ofsaid material, a sensitive de'vice'subjected and responsive to the temperature in said container. control mechanism-governed by said sensitive device and comprising rotary cam means, and operating connections actuated by said cam means for operating said discharge and supply means.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a container for material to be processed, means for filling said container with said materialand for discharging the same therefrom, means for supplyinga medium to said container for. controlling the Eemperature of said material, a sensit ve device sub ected and-responsive to the temperaturein said means for periodically operating said filling and discharge means. I 4. In apparatus of the character described, a container for material to be processed,

"means for filling said container with said material and for discharging thesame there-' from, means for sup lying a medium to said container for control-ing the temperature of said material, fluid pressure operated valves for operating said filling. and. discharge means, and said supply means fluid pressure conducting means'connected with said valyes for operating the same and provided with auxiliary valves, a sensitive device subjected and responsive to the temperature in said container and co'ntrol mechanism governed by said device comprising rotary cam means and supply means. r

fora ctuating said auxiliary valves for operating said filling and discharge means, and said supply means.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a container for material to be processed, means for filling said container with said material and'for discharging the same therefrom, means for supplying. a, medium to said container controlling the temperature of said material, fluid pressure operated valvesfor operating said filling and discharge means and said supply means, fluid pressure conducting means connected with said valves for operating the same and provided with auxiliary valves, a sensitive device subjected and responsive to the temperature in said container, control mechanism provided with means for starting the same and comprising rotary cam means for operating said auxiliary valves, and a connection between said sensitive device and said mechanism starting means for operating the latter-at a predetermined temperature in said container.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a container for material to be processed, means for filling said container with said material and for discharging the same there from, means for supplying a medium to said container for controlling the temperature ofsaid material, fluid pressure operated valves for operating said filling and discharge means and said supply means, fluid pressure" conducting means connected with said valves for operating the same and provided with auxiliary valves, a sensitive device subjected and responsive to the temperature in-sa-id container, control mechanism governed by said device comprising a plurality of rotary actuating cams and motor means for rotating. the same and followers for said ca-ms arranged for actuating said auxiliary valves.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a container for material to be processed, means for discharging said materialtherefrom, means for supplying a'tem'perature controlling medium tosaid container, a temperature responsive device subjected to the temperature of said ntainer, control mechanisi said device comlurality of cams, motor means said cams, and followers for said cams said cams and followers being relatively adjustable along the pathsof rotationof the cams. and operating connections between said 1 followers and said discharge 8. In apparatus of scrlbed, a processmg container to be controlled, a batch measure, means connect ng said measure and container for filling the latter, dischargemeans for said'container,

thecharacter; de-

means for supplyinga temperatureeontrolling medium to said containeiflfluid pressure operated valves controlling said filling,

discharge vand'supply means, fluid pressure 5 mechanism comprising a shaft .provided.

' valves.

9. In apparatus of the character de- I conducting means connected with said valves and provided with auxiliarv valves, a temperature responsive device Sub ected to the temperature of said container, control a with a plurality of cams, followers for said cams, said followers and cams being .rela-' tively adjustable along the paths of the cams, motor means for rotating said shaft,

tor means controlled conjointly'by said respons ive device and one of said cam followers, and operatingconnections between the others of said followers and said auxiliary scribed, .control mechanism-comprising a shaft, cams on said shaft, valves disposed about said shaft, followers disposed about ones of said cams and valves, said followers and cams being adjustable along the paths 7 of said cams, motor means for rotating said shaft, a dial, and indicators connected with said shaft and followers for cooperation with said dial. 1

10, In apparatus of the character described, control mechanism comprising a shaft, cams on said shaft, valves disposed v 80 about said shaft, spaced supports adjustably mounted about said shaft as. a center, fola device/ for starting and stopping said -mo-.

said shaft for cooperation with respectivelovv ers on"sai'd supports cooperating with respective ones of sand cams and valves,

motor means for rotating said shaft, a dial, r

a pointer on said shaft indicating on said dial, and members carried by said supports for adjusting the same provided with pointers'in'dicating the positions thereof on said dial. I J

11. In apparatus of the cliaractef de shaft, cams on said shaft, control devices actuated by said cams, a sensitive device responsive to a condition. to be controlled, mo-

tor means for rotating said shaft provided- 4 with means for starting and stopping the .40 scribed, control .mechanism comprising a same, and operating means connecting said sensitive device and one of said control de-' v J 1 means for starting and stopping the same,

a sensitive device responsive to a condition to be controlled, and means connecting said sensitive device and one of said valves with said starting and stopping means for conjointly controlling the latter,

, v EDWARD B. F COTE. 

